I’ll believe Semi Radradra is back at Parramatta when he actually appears back at Parramatta. At the moment, the issue surrounding the Fijian winger has a smell about it that suggests it is not going to end well for the Eels.
As usual, the game that keeps giving is giving plenty. There are any number of topics to talk about which makes it difficult to focus on just one, so I’m going to spread it out to five.
Semi
Why was it not a shock when, on Sunday, it emerged Radradra had been given an extension on his sudden leave from the Eels and was now due back at training on Wednesday in preparation for Saturday’s big game against Cronulla?
Because while much of what has been said and written about Radradra since he headed back to Fiji is speculation, the facts that have emerged point to this being a complex situation that isn’t going to be easily worked out. Not easily worked out in favour of Parramatta, anyway.
What will the Eels do if Radradra is not back on Wednesday? Give him another “extension”? I won’t be surprised what move Semi makes next.
State of Origin
I’ve already written elsewhere that NSW should dispense with Paul Gallen, Robbie Farah and Greg Bird for State of Origin III and that Michael Jennings and James Tamou should go as well.
The match should be used as a bridge to next year for the Blues. It is a crucial opportunity to get some new players in there who are potentially very important to the future. You’ve seen the names of the various contenders mentioned ad nauseam.
It isn’t a case of whether someone like Gallen, in particular, “deserves” an Origin farewell. It is what is best for the team that matters. Origin careers begin and end and it’s time to move on from the old players in the side.
Finally, if James Tedesco doesn’t get a run at fullback in game three, I’ll be amazed.
Sam Thaiday’s supension
The two-game ban Thaiday received for his lifting tackle on Gallen in Origin II didn’t receive the examination it deserved in the wake of the game because there was so much else to talk about.
But it was a bad tackle that deserved more than two games. How many games? Somewhere from four to six.
Thaiday tipped Gallen over in the tackle and Gallen landed on his head. Fortunately, he wasn’t hurt, but it obviously could have been nasty.
All a charge resulting in just a two-match ban does is reinforce the belief there is one rule for Origin and another for the NRL.
Melbourne Storm
There are plenty of teams in the NRL who catch your eye for various reasons, good and bad, but the Storm are the most intriguing to me.
They have a well-earned reputation for being excellent in the regular season over the years, but in recent years they have come undone in the finals series.
Last season, North Queensland beat them 32-12 in a preliminary final. The year before, Canterbury beat them 28-4 in an elimination final.
Is this a year in which they can go all the way? Melbourne seem to play at such a high level during the regular season and can’t improve on that in the finals, while other teams lift. But the competition has opened up for them.
Brisbane’s recent form hasn’t been good and both the Broncos and North Queensland have slipped off the pace set by Cronulla and the Storm on the competition table. Melbourne are well placed to finish in the top two, so they’re in a great position to do something.
Cronulla
I love watching the Sharks play and I’ve got no doubt they can win the premiership. Right now, they would be my pick.
They can still scrap their way to a win, as had been their trademark in recent years, but now they can attack their way to a win as well. Because of the dynamic players they have who can make something happen out of nothing, they are never out of the game.
Cronulla’s last three games have all been close ones, but they have won them all. It obviously wasn’t their best performance against the Warriors on Saturday, but they still found a way to win and that’s the main thing. They’ve had better days before and those days will come again.
Joe
Roar Rookie
sorry Matt White not Mark Nichols who should debut for the Storm.
Joe
Roar Rookie
If Semi goes because he is being paid a whole lot more than NRL then good on him. Family comes first and he has an extended family relying on him back home plus a sick dad. Make as much money as you can while you can. Tedesco should be picked for Origin three and Tom T from Manly as well on the wing. These two are guaranteed Origin players so the sooner they get experience the better. This is like Qld many years ago seeing the likes of Cam Smith, Slater and Inglis and putting them in early because they knew they were going to be Origin players anyway so why not start them asap. The Storm have been bundled out of finals contention a couple of years now and Bellamy has correctly identified the problem being a lack of big bodies in the middle. This years pack is one of the biggest I've seen at the Storm, both starters and bench and has been the foundation of their wins so far this year. With Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Glasby injured long term I think they will come back to the pack as these two provided big impact off the bench in metres and defence. The game against Brisbane will be an big test for the pack and likely we'll see Mark Nichols Storm debut off the bench. The Storm of the top 8 teams have had the worst run of injuries with Slater out for the season, Chambers long term and pretty much a new outside back combination every game with halves and 2nd rowers playing centres. Tohu Harris has played 3, 4, 6, 7, and 12 this season. Now Green and Munster have been out for a few weeks and Nelson and Glasby out long term. That they're in the top four and 2 wins clear of 3rd is testament to how good this team is. If they get a full team on deck by finals they will be very hard to stop. Sharks are the real deal this year. They have found ways to win in just about every type of situation. They and the Cowboys have had a very good run regarding injuries though. At this point I would think only injuries will stop them getting to a Grand Final.
steveng
Roar Rookie
BYE$$$BYE$$$BYE Sami, go and please leave us alone!!! The biggest mistake was that the ARL let you play for Australia 'when you are not an Australian' and never was, all you did is play 'THE $$$$' and nothing else, no pride in being a Fijian and/or an Australian!!! Very sad and it’s typical of what we do/will get with our multicultural diversity, if there ever was such a thing!!!
Paulie
Guest
Yes French rugby has a huge amount of money we are talking millions if he wants to go make them pay a transfer fee simple... i can tell you it would be pocket change for them, 99,000 turned up at Barcelona for the French rugby final
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
No. The only way they can keep him is to force the contract. Everybody wants to talk about Semi's personal situation. Why was this not considered when he signed this contract if it's not adequate? He wouldn't be looking to be offloaded to save them money if he didn't play well, so why is he ethically right to try and get out of the contract because he can get more now?
Jacko
Guest
1) Semi can do whatever he decides to. The clubs certainly do whatever they want to do 2) SOO is a game played by 60% of a club competition and tedesco should be the Fullback 3) Sam Thiaday should be out for 4-6 weeks like all players who do the same thing in non SOO games. If a player is paralyzed in a SOO game is that OK? 4)Melbourne certainly capable of winning comp but so are a few other teams 5 Cronulla will win the comp. When refs stuff-up like they did on sat night and rule a penalty try for the same thing they have been ruling no try for you know the NRL bosses want them to win and the warriors should go and join another comp because they will never be treated fair in this one
Jacko
Guest
It wasnt Semi who decided to dishonour Peats contract
parra
Guest
He is a young man torn between being committed to his contract at the eels and providing for his family. In this case I believe providing for his family is more important than his principals, values etc. The sooner the salary cap increases to $10M the better for retaining talent. Selection for the SOO for NSW has been poor. Year after year the wrong players have been chosen and loyalty shown in the hope that they will improve as a team. So much inform talent has been overlooked on this basis and NSW has paid a dear price as a result. Bring back three to four selectors and hire a new coach.
Boz
Guest
Absolutely. I hope I'm not coming across as somebody who considers the club competition the be all and end all of the game. I have said before, that I would rather the fewer rounds in the NRL, with much more international football.
Baracuda
Guest
The game is definitely lacking a proper transfer system which could be governed by the international federation in cooperation with national associations and which could hold jurisdiction in the four countries having professional clubs - Australia, England, France & New Zealand. To a lesser extent Fiji, Wales & Papua New Guinea could even be included having second tier clubs.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
As long as league keeps its perspective closed or narrow, then that is fine. It's not as if thousands are rushing off to Europe through league.
Baracuda
Guest
"They will view the NRL as a stepping stone to a big money contract in Europe." It's already like that, Lote being a notable example with Maraika and Semi to follow suit
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I appreciate that argument but it still doesn't justify not doing anything about Test football or international perspectives. You've seen how competitive and popular the Pacific Test have been over the last two years. As they say, just do it. Regarding the players and the clubs, set up a transfer system and hold to it. Set out the limitations of what any athlete in question can and cannot do and provide them with a route back to the NRL or the Super League. If, over the short term the NRL or Super League is seen as merely a stepping stone to Europe, so what? That is only temporary and it is not as if there are hordes of players rushing off to Europe. In the meantime, work on the international opportunities, make them real and watch the game grow.
Boz
Guest
Sleiman, I would love to see that happen - but it will take a long time. In the interim, the clubs are going to be the ones who provide the majority of the players income for the foreseeable future. If we can't keep guys like Semi in the game - it will only hurt the promotion of League to the Pacific Islands. They will view the NRL as a stepping stone to a big money contract in Europe.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Semi is the easy target instead of the structure in place that limits opportunities for rugby league athletes. Did Daley ever say or suggest that Tedesco was going to be or likely to be picked for Origin 1 this year? Thaiday should have been in big trouble. Problem is, the NRL don't know how to learn their lessons. Sharks are good to watch. Who knows what will happen come finals time?
Brett McKay
Expert
haha, great headline!
Baracuda
Guest
Radradra knows he will be more famous in union than league once he has escaped the NRL Village©. At first glance $1 million for a winger is ridiculous unless it's french rugby, league simply cannot provide for him and his family. When radradra played for Australia in May he would of happily played for Fiji for the same amount instead. Not for the pride. Mascord said rep teams appear to these types as teams that pay you money, nothing else.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Hahaha. Especially if Holmes hammy is tender
The Barry
Roar Guru
Good luck to Semi, I don't begrudge him trying to find the best deal he can. It's a shame for Eels fans though after everything else this year. I'd love to see Tedesco in the Origin side. The Thaiday tackle was a shocker. Gallen ended up 180 degress and landed head first into the turf. Without a devestating injury that's as bad as those tackles can be...if that's worth two weeks - what do you have to do to get 4-6 weeks? The sharks are looking the most complete team at the moment but I expect the Cowboys and Broncos to kick again post Origin. It will be interesting to see who emerges from the pack in the bottom half of the 8 as a genuine contender...Panthers and Raiders look capable on their day but are struggling for consistency.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
My view is to work on the international side of things so that world money and world opportunities are more easily accessible to rugby league players.